A mayoral delegation from Dunedin is in China, strengthening ties with the city of Qingdao.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull and a dozen education and business representatives are signing memorandums of understanding with their Chinese counterparts.

They're developing an official Friendship City relationship between Dunedin and Qingdao, which is a major seaport on China's east coast.

Dunedin already has a commercial agreement with Qingdao, where the Haier Group is based.

Haier bought Fisher and Paykel in 2012, and increased its staff base in Dunedin last year.

Representatives from Dunedin high schools are also part of the delegation, which will visit Shanghai next week.